War on drugs: G-B government steps up against drug use

Plans to form committee to curb the menace.

GILGIT:

The government of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) is getting serious about curbing the sale and use of illegal drugs in the region.

It is forming a Narcotics Control Committees (NCC) and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) stations in various parts of G-B to curb the growing use of narcotics, a government official said on Wednesday.

“The plan has been discussed and approved in a high-level meeting chaired by G-B Home Secretary,” said an official, asking not to be named.

He said the committee members will comprise prominent scholars, government officials and other stakeholders willing to support the government in its fight against narcotics, a “menace that is constantly rising in the society”.

ANF stations would be setup in Ghizer Valley and Skardu, where officials will keep a check the increasing spread of drugs, especially among youngsters, he explained.

He added that even though no official statistics are available to suggest the use of drugs in G-B, the number is believed to be in thousands.

“This is a serious issue which needs to be dealt with,” he said, adding that the plan could only become successful with the support of people.

“Rehabilitation centres will also be set up at hospitals where addicts will be given treatment,” he said.

He added the idea of training teachers against drug use is also under consideration to increase awareness about the consequences of use of narcotics among students.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2011.